I recognize Dad’s voice as I exit the elevator. He’s reading a Christmas story to the ninth-floor seniors. Some are slumped in wheelchairs. A few are asleep, resting their foreheads on the table in front of them. Dad’s holding court, so to speak, because he’s king. He told me so a few days after he … Continue reading Treasured connections
Author: maragulens
Thursdays with Dad
Let’s make sure we bring Kleenex, I say to Dad as we prepare for choir practice. “Why?” he asks. Because you’re going to cry. “How do you know?” he asks. Because you always do, I say. When we started singing in the Latvian seniors’ choir, Dad would laugh and tell me there’s no way I … Continue reading Thursdays with Dad
A curious thing
Living through a pandemic is like living with a brain injury. Both require slowing down, doing without and shifting priorities. But isn’t life like that? Ups and downs, learning and unlearning. Maybe someday I’ll enjoy crowds, loud music and a busy schedule. And it’s highly likely our post-Covid world will end up just as crazy … Continue reading A curious thing
Haircuts and potato wedges
It happens like this. She cuts his hair and they talk, just like any barber and customer. Except this is grandfather and granddaughter, they’re in the bathroom, and this is the closest they get these days. Imants Ziedonis said it best: Stroke a silver head. Grandmother, grandfather, uncle when he’s sick. And he’ll begin to … Continue reading Haircuts and potato wedges
Cycling through history
I’ve been referring to myself as the ravine queen for the past three years. After my brain injury occurred, my love for Toronto went from urban art and architecture to the abandoned rail lines, unexplored river trails and forest paths of the Don Valley. Now the streets are empty and quiet. There’s no one around. … Continue reading Cycling through history
Catch the moment
Exactly three years ago today, a bicycle crash threw me into #StayHome mode just like the coronavirus threw the world into quarantine. By Monday, I was unable to do anything I’d been doing on Friday. My home became my refuge. Self-isolation was the new normal. What do you do when your fast-paced 21st-century life comes … Continue reading Catch the moment
The end is the beginning is the end
So much has happened in such a short time. Or is it a long time? I’ve lost track. What’s time? This corona-world is a bit like Waiting for Godot. We’re waiting, but we’re not sure for what. They say things will never be the same. But we can’t go on. Not like this, and not … Continue reading The end is the beginning is the end
The things we do for love
Unwritten rules have it that dog owners introduce their dogs but rarely themselves. “That’s Steve and Frankie,” the guy at the beach says. “How’s Simta?” Luna’s owner asks, seldom asking how I’m doing. In the time of COVID-19, however, there’s a lot less talking. Conversation brings closeness, which for dogs signifies play. There’s no play … Continue reading The things we do for love
My weekend quarantine
It’s been months since I’ve found time for the weekend Globe and Mail. But Saturday morning, after a week of so much going on, I felt good snuggling up on the couch and just reading. Turns out the March 28, 2020, edition is unlike anything we’ve seen. Well, in a time unlike anything we’ve experienced. … Continue reading My weekend quarantine
Love in a time of COVID-19
Every day is so wildly different now. I feel that if I don’t record what’s happening, I’ll forget. First off, my sleep app gave me a rare score of 100% for last night. Does the sense of common humanity help one sleep? Does a true awareness that your problems and worries are insignificant compared with … Continue reading Love in a time of COVID-19
Postcards from my brain 